My name is Jamie Hawk-Hamel

I am Vice-chair on the Tribal Council.  I have been a Tribal Council member seven years and five months.  I decided to run for Tribal Council because of frustrating experiences in the past; I talked with council member Don Dupuis; he encouraged me to run. 

I grew up in Ronan.  In addition to this job I was Director of Child Care at Salish Kootenai College. I worked for Tribal Social Services, the General Assistance Program, and I was in the U.S. Army for four years working in behavioral science.

My Tribal affiliation is Pend d’ Oreille.  In my spare time, I am a bus driver and cheerleader for my kids and their sports: basketball, gymnastics and softball. 

One of my fondest memories is when for the first time in 1998, I took the oath to serve on Tribal Council and realizing the huge responsibility I was taking and having my family there so proud of me, my mom, dad, sisters, husband and kids. 

I am a democrat.  I have been married for 10 years and have four children, ages 14, 10, 8 and 8. 

Former Chairman Mickey Pablo was a great leader who fought for sovereignty and was well liked by many people.  I look for advice from elders and the membership.

In 10 to 20 years, the Tribes, I hope, will own more land, will have less jurisdictional issues and will have better relationships with the community. 

Two important issues facing the Tribes today are sovereignty and funding for health care.  The biggest allies outside the Tribes are ATNI, NCAL, NIGA, MTWYTLC.

One of the biggest issues I have had to deal with on Council has been the enrollment issue.  One of my biggest personal achievements was being reelected and continuing to serve on Tribal Council. 

I would like people to know that I am just a normal and everyday person and a mom. 

My future goals are to continue serving the membership as a Tribal Council Rep. Twenty years from now, I would like people to remember, that as a Tribal Council member, that I always looked at all sides of the issue and that I was here to listen and help people, also that I was there to fight for our Tribes’ rights and sovereignty in order for our homeland to be a better place in the generations to come. 

A future leader should have an understanding of Tribal issues and concerns and should have compassion for our people and their lives. 

I have supported Tribal youth and their education as an advocate for the Arlee Community Center. I have always been supportive of youth requesting financial support for different activities.  I’ve supported and been involved with my own children in sports, school and in other activities.